From the dawn of existence, animals and humans have been constantly redefining their relationship with one another. Brian Fagan unfolds this fascinating story from the first world, animals that wandered into our prehistoric ancestors’ camp and found companionship to the industrial age when some animals became commodities and others became pets. Through an in-depth analysis of six truly transformative human-animal relationships, Fagan shows how our habits and way of life are altered by our bond with animals. Among other stories, Fagan explores how herding changed human behavior and how the horse carried a hearty band of nomads across the world and toppled the emperor of China.

Those wishing to get books signed will be asked to purchase at least one copy of the author's most recent title from Vroman's. For each purchased copy of the newest title, customers may bring up to three copies from home to be signed. This policy applies to all Vroman's Bookstore events unless otherwise noted. Save your Vroman's receipt; it will be checked when you enter the signing line.

Warwick's and the San Diego Law Library present Emeritus Professor of Anthropology at UCSB, Brian Fagan who returns to Warwick's on Wednesday, June 12th at 7:30pm to discuss and sign The attacking ocean as part of the San Diego Law Library's Writers & the Law series.

About the book: The past fifteen thousand years--the entire span of human civilization--have witnessed dramatic sea level changes, which began with rapid global warming at the end of the Ice Age, when sea levels were more than 700 feet below modern levels. Over the next eleven millennia, the oceans climbed in fits and starts. These rapid changes had little effect on those humans who experienced them, partly because there were so few people on earth, and also because they were able to adjust readily to new coastlines. Global sea levels stabilized about six thousand years ago except for local adjustments that caused often quite significant changes to places like the Nile Delta. So the curve of inexorably rising seas flattened out as urban civilizations developed in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and South Asia. The earth's population boomed, quintupling from the time of Christ to the Industrial Revolution. The threat from the oceans increased with our crowding along shores to live, fish, and trade.

Since 1860, the world has warmed significantly and the ocean's climb has speeded. The sea level changes are cumulative and gradual; no one knows when they will end. The attacking ocean, from celebrated author Brian Fagan, tells a tale of the rising complexity of the relationship between humans and the sea at their doorsteps, a complexity created not by the oceans, which have changed but little. What has changed is us, and the number of us on earth.

About the San Diego Law Library: The San Diego Law Library is the only community resource dedicated to helping people learn about and use the law to solve problems, access justice and take advantage of opportunities.

The past fifteen thousand years - the entire span of human civilization -have witnessed dramatic sea level changes, which began with rapid global warming at the end of the Ice Age, when sea levels were more than 700 feet below modern levels. Over the next eleven millennia, the oceans climbed in fits and starts. These rapid changes had little effect on those humans who experienced them, partly because there were so few people on earth, and also because they were able to adjust readily to new coastlines. Since 1860, the world has warmed significantly and the ocean's climb has accelerated. The sea level changes are cumulative and gradual; no one knows when they will end. The attacking ocean tells a tale of the rising complexity of the relationship between humans and the sea at their doorsteps.

Archaeologist and historian Brian Fagan tackles his richest topic yet: the enduring quest to master the oceans, the planet's most mysterious terrain. We know the tales of Columbus and Captain Cook, yet much earlier mariners made equally bold and world-changing voyages. From the moment when ancient Polynesians first dared to sail beyond the horizon, the mastery of the oceans changed the course of human history. With compelling detail, Fagan reveals how seafaring evolved from bamboo rafts to Norse longboats, transforming forbidding realms of the sea gods into a nexus of commerce and cultural exchange.

This discussion is free and open to the public. Those wishing to get books signed will be asked to purchase at least one copy of Beyond the blue horizon from Vroman's, and one additional copy for every 3 books they bring from home. Save your Vroman's receipt; it will be checked when you enter the signing line.

Analysis of the impact climate change has had on civilizations over the last 15,000 years. Discussion leader: Edith Taylor, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, KU Film: Nanook of the North. (This is part of a new four-part book discussion group, co-sponsored by the Spencer Museum of Art, in conjunction with their spring exhibition, Climate Change at the Poles.Book discussions will be followed by a film in the Museum auditorium at 7:15 pm. Registration is required, beginning January 2 at the Library, to reserve a set of books for this group. Call Maria Butler at 843-3833, ext. 123, or email mbutler@lawrence.lib.ks.us. Participation is free and open to the public.) (JoonieM)… (more)